Clearly, Gladys craves motherhood, and after many uncertainties from the past, this time various omens portend a new dimension of barnyard bliss. In the first place, she is being much nicer to Esmerelda as well as her fellow web-footed fowl and they in turn seem to be more relaxed in her presence.
Esmerelda has not returned to her former level of egg production, but she also has not joined the ranks of the retired. She is enjoying being able to dine at her own volition. She flies up to her roost at night with alacrity and shows no evidence of advancing arthritis. I sense that the new era with Gladys is producing in her a sigh of relief.
Another significant omen is the attentive role Henry has assumed, standing by Gladys’ side for hours on end. Of all fowl, ganders are known for their fidelity to their spouses and for assisting in the rearing of goslings. Henry would not be behaving accordingly unless he sensed that something else was about to happen. Inasmuch as the longest goose on record lived to be 102, the present situation could be only the onset of what is to come.
The former relationship between Gladys and Quack I has dissolved. He no longer appears to be her understudy and certainly not of maternal interest to her. I am certain that their previous cavorting around had something to do with the bond among all fowl with web feet. Quack I is a pleasant drake, but his major interest in life is in getting fed. He seems to have forgotten who Gladys is, even if sharing a barnyard with her. Once they were inseparable as a pair.
If indeed Gladys and Henry are expecting, life could become quite different around the farm. Already I have observed that Henry has stopped pecking at the back door to come inside, seemingly being content to be in the barnyard. In the past, seeing all of us, and the dog, coming and going, he did not comprehend why he could not do likewise.
His gentle tapping at the storm door was endearing, but for domestic tranquility, I never let him come indoors. I had to put considerations of my Good Wife’s blood pressure ahead of enjoying Henry’s company inside. He seemed to be satisfied if I came out to be with him and exchange a few words and honks.
He does not care to be petted, nor picked up and held. Companionship is his desire and now that his relationship with Gladys has taken a new turn, he seems to have forgotten the days of wanting to share familial life with humans.
I always try to keep one step ahead of the fowl in anticipating their mercurial whims and wishes. In Henry’s case, the process is more apparent than with Gladys. Quite simply, he is a gander with the personality of a golden retriever, ever friendly and happy, but he does not lick.
After two years, Quack II, a domestic mallard, finally has become a member of the inner circle in the barnyard. At first, he was ostracized and ignored by the other residents, but now he participates in discussions, quacking away all day long. I am unable to discern whether his quacking is merely to get attention, or does it mean that he is communicating important messages to his colleagues, but I am happy that he no longer thinks of himself as an outsider, shunned by the barnyard elite.
Every morning, the barnyard day begins with its own surprises. The current residents are a motley crew, each given to his or her own idiosyncrasies, but fascinating to observe as their manservant and companion.
